Conductive fluid activated devices

ABSTRACT

A conductive fluid activated device for use in toys and the like is provided. The device includes resistive responsive circuitry adapted to produce various sounds or to control electric components such as motors, solenoids and the like. A fluid retaining reservoir is adapted to receive probes which extend from and are connected to the circuitry. Various configurations of the reservoir and the probes allow the resistive responsive circuitry to respond differently depending on the configuration of the reservoir and the probes by sensing resistive changes created by the presence and motion of various fluids in or passing through the reservoir and probes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 411,936 filed Aug. 26,1982 now abandoned, which itself is a continuation of application Ser.No. 183,778 filed Sept. 3, 1980 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,683.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a conductive fluid activated device, andin particular, to a conductive fluid activated device adapted for use intoys and the like. Utilization of the conductive fluid activated deviceof the instant invention in toys will greatly enhance the play valuethereof especially where the fluid is water. For example, a conventionalbattery operated toy car is generally operated manually by means of aswitch or the like. However, by providing the conductive fluid activateddevice of the instant invention in a toy car, the play value of the carwould be enhanced if the child could simulate use of gasoline byutilizing a fluid such as water. Moreover, the conductive fluidactivated device of the instant invention is adapted to produce varioussounds which could simulate the sound of a running car motor.Alternatively, the presence of the conductive fluid activated device ofthe instant invention in a toy doll would greatly enhance its play valuesince the doll would be able to produce various sounds such as cryingand laughing upon the introduction or presence of fluid in the doll.

Accordingly, it is desired to provide an inexpensive conductive fluidactivated device capable of producing various sounds and operatingelectrical devices such as motors and the like and readily adaptable foruse in various children's toys. By providing a conductive fluidactivated device which includes an inexpensive circuit and a reservoiradapted to receive various fluids, the device being adapted to react inresponse to the presence of fluid, the desired conductive fluidactivated device is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the instant invention, a deviceis provided including a reservoir adapted to receive a currentconducting fluid or liquid. A spaced pair of electrically conductiveprobes extend into the reservoir and are electrically coupled to acircuit. The circuit is adapted to produce an output responsive to theconfiguration of the reservoir and the probes in combination with theresistive qualities of the liquid. The circuit output is adapted todrive a speaker for producing various sounds or for driving electricalcomponents such as a motor, solenoid or the like.

The conductive liquid activated device of the present invention isadapted to be powered by a simple battery. The device can be included ina toy vehicle, doll or the like invariably enhancing the play valuethereof. Various configurations provide for varying responses by thecircuitry.

Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide aninexpensive conductive fluid activated device fully adaptable for use inchildren's toys.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a conductive fluidactivated device particulary adapted to drive a motor, solenoid or thelike.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a conductivefluid activated device adapted to produce familiar and non-familiarsounds through a speaker.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide aconductive fluid activated device which can be variously configured toproduce the desired response.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a conductive fluidactivated device adaptable for use in many children's toys which willgreatly enhance the play value thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obviousand will in part be apparent from the specification and drawings.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially exploded in phantom lines, of atoy car incorporating a conductive fluid activated device constructed inaccordance with the instant invention, also showing a water deliverymember in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the chassis of the toy car withthe body removed taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2, with thebody in position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of resistiveresponsive circuitry constructed in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the instant invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams of alternative embodiments of theresistive responsive circuitry of the instant invention;

FIGS. 9 through 12, 14, 15, 17 through 19, and 21 through 25 aresectional views of the various configurations of the reservoir andprobes utilizable in embodiments of the fluid activated device of theinstant invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the reservoir and probes of theembodiment of FIG. 12 mounted in a toy doll;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a reservoirand probes mounted in the lower torso portion of a toy doll; and

FIG. 20 is a partially sectioned view of still another embodiment ofreservoir and probes mounted in conjunction with a wick and spongeutilized in embodiments of the fluid activated device of the instantinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 through 3 wherein a toy automobile,generally indicated as 30, incorporating a conductive fluid activateddevice constructed in accordance with the instant invention, isdepicted. The body 31 of the toy car 30 is generally formed from amolded plastic. Body 31 is secured to chassis 32 by means of foursecuring pegs 33. In the embodiment depicted, the body is formed of aresilient plastic which is engageable with said securing pegs but othermounting arrangements may be utilized. The conductive fluid or wateractivated device, generally indicated as 35, is secured to the chassis32 in the manner described below.

Water activated device 35 includes a simple DC motor 36 secured to therear end 32a of chassis 32 by means of a resilient molded arm 37.Mounting at this location serves to maximize friction on the drivingwheel 40. The drive shaft 38 of motor 36 has a gear 39 secured thereto.Gear 39 engages a larger gear (not shown) connected to a rear wheel 40of toy auto 30, rear wheel 40 being rotatably mounted in axle 41supported on chassis 32. The rear wheel 40 may be provided with afriction enhancing surface if desired. Accordingly, in response torotation of drive shaft 38, rear wheel 40 will be caused to rotate toadvance the car. Second rear wheel 40a is freely rotatably mounted onaxle 41. If desired, the two rear wheels can be joined for common driverrotation. A pair of front wheels 10 are mounted for free rotation onaxle 11.

A circuit board 50 is mounted in the central portion of chassis 32 bymeans of screws 51, 51a, 52 and 52a. A reservoir 55 is situatedintermediate circuit board 50 and chassis 32. A rheostat, generallyindicated as 58, includes a displaceable wiper 59 secured to a centralportion of speed control member 60 for displacement in the direction ofarrow D of FIGS. 2 and 4 in response to the rotation of the speedcontrol member. The resistor portion 61 of rheostat 58, consisting of acoil of wire wrapped on a form, is mounted on chassis 32 by means ofclips 62 and 62a in combination with screws 63. Resistor portion 61 ofrheostat 58 is positioned so that wiper 59 is displaceable along thelength of resistor portion 61, and so that wiper 59 may rest on eitherof clips 62 or 62a. Clip 62 must be conductive and defines a minimmumresistance position. Clip 62b can define a maximum resistance positionif conductive or an open switch (off) position if non-conductive or ifinsulated.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the components of the circuit board50 will be described. Motor 36 is coupled by first lead 70 to clip 62and therefore to one end of resistor portion 61 of rheostat 58. Secondlead 71 is coupled between motor 36 and terminal 29 adapted forconnection to the negative terminal of a DC battery 48 (FIG. 3).Additionally, second lead 71 is connected to a probe 80, defined by thebody of screw 52, the purpose of which will be explained in greaterdetail below. The internal electrical connections on circuit board 50are defined by a conductive pattern 28 on the underside of said circuitboard. Wiper 59 of rheostat 58 is connected to the emitter 73 of NPNtransistor 72. Base 74 of transistor 72 is connected to collector 77 ofPNP transistor 76. Base 78 of transistor 76 is connected to a first end82a of resistor 82. Additionally, base 78 is connected to a second probe81 defined by the body of screw 52a, the purpose of which will beexplained in greater detail below. The second end 82b of resistor 82 isconnected to terminal 27, which is connected to the positive end of DCbattery 48. Additionally, end 82b of resistor 82 is connected tocollector 75 of NPN transistor 72 and additionally to emitter 79 of PNPtransistor 76.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it is noted that a battery compartment 47 isdefined by chassis 32, adapted to receive a battery 48, the terminals ofwhich will contact resilient terminals 27 and 29. The battery may be aconventional 9 volt battery. A cover 49 closing said battery compartmentis removably mounted to chassis 32.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 through 5 the purpose and operation of thecombination reservoir and probes in accordance with the invention willbe discussed in detail. Reservoir 55 is defined by upstanding wall 26formed in chassis 32 and reservoir cover 53 secured to top of said wall.Upstanding wall 26 is essentially heart-shaped, terminating in anarrowly spaced region at the base thereof defining an exit opening 25to said reservoir 55. Chassis 32 is also formed to define a speedcontrol member sleeve 23 positioned adjacent to the base of heart shapedwall 26 so that exit opening 25 provides a path between the interior 22of speed control member sleeve 23 and reservoir 55. Cover 53 is formedwith an elongated spout 56 through which water can be poured intoreservoir 55. Spout 56 extends through a hole in body 31 of toy auto 30in order to provide access thereto. As depicted in FIG. 1, a simulatedgas can, shown in phantom lines as 57, can be utilized to fill reservoir55 through spout 56.

Speed control member 60 to which wiper 59 of rheostat 58 is secured, ismounted for rotation in sleeve 23 and is formed with a V-shaped slot 64extending along the length of the lower region thereof adjacentreservoir 55. It is noted that speed control member 60 extends through ahole in body 31 proximate to spout 56 for the manual manipulationthereof. V-shaped slot 64 can provide communication between exit opening25 of reservoir 55 and the bottom opening 21 of sleeve 23 in order toallow drainage of water from the reservoir into a removable drainage pan65 which is also illustrated, as removed, in phantom lines in FIG. 1.

Drainage pan 65 is removably mounted in chassis 32 immediately belowbottom opening 25 of sleeve 23. The removable mounting of the pan may beby laterally extending flanges (not shown) on the pan riding on slots(not shown) formed in chassis 32. Projection 20 provides a grip foreffecting removal of the pan. A sponge 66 on drainage pan 65 is adaptedto absorb the water which drains from reservoir 55 through V-shaped slot64 into the drainage pan 65. As more particularly shown in FIG. 3, thefloor of reservoir 55 is inclined toward exit opening 25. Further,screws 52 and 52a also serve to hold cover 53 in a closed position.

Rheostat 58 is adapted to vary the speed of motor 36. This isaccomplished, as illustrated in FIG. 4, by locating wiper 59 alongvarious positions of resistor portion 61 of rheostat 58. For example,when wiper 59 is in the position represented by reference numeral 59a inFIG. 4, the motor will be caused to rotate slowly due to the highresistance in the circuit. Additionally, when wiper 59 is in thisposition, V-shaped slot 64 is in the position represented by referencenumeral 64a and exit opening 25 is closed. In other words, the waterfrom reservoir 55 cannot flow through V-shaped slot 64 since V-shapedslot 64 lies completely against the wall of sleeve 24. When wiper 59 isin the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 4, the motor will becaused to operate at a medium speed and the V-shaped slot as illustratedin solid lines is only partially open, thereby allowing a medium flow ofwater therethrough. Finally, when arm 59 is in the position representedby reference numeral 59b as illustrated in FIG. 4, the V-shaped slot 64as represented by reference numeral 64 b, is totally open and the waterwill quickly flow therethrough into drainage pan 65.

Referring to the circuit of FIG. 6, transistors 72 and 76 are coupled todefine a circuit which is turned on and off by the closing and opening,respectively, of the electrical connection between probes 80 and 81 bythe presence or absence, respectfully, of water or other conductingfluid in reservoir 55. Motor 36 is driven by the output of transistor72. Transistor 76 serves as an amplifier-switch controlling theconduction of transistor 72, and is in turn controlled by the resistanceor open circuit between probes 80 and 81. Rheostat 58 further limits thecurrent to effect speed control. As more particularly discussed below,where the water controls the resistance across probes 80 and 81, thehigher the resistance value, the lower the gating current applied tobase 74 of transistor 72, the slower the motor rotates. Conversely, thelower the resistance, the higher the gating current applied to base 74of transistor 72, the faster the motor rotates.

The purpose of the combination slot 64 and rheostat 58 can beappreciated by realizing that when operating, the toy car will simulatethe burning of gasoline due to the draining of water in the reservoir 55through the V-shaped slot 64 and into the drainage pan 65. The rate offlow of water is regulated and coincides with the speed selected for thetoy auto by means of adjusting the rheostat. Thus, when the car isrunning slow there will be little or no drainage of water from reservoir55 just as a car which is driven slowly burns less gasoline. However,when the rheostat 58 is in the wiper position 59b and the car is runningat its fastest speed, the water drains quickly from reservoir 55 just asa car which is speeding burns gasoline more quickly. Note that at higherspeeds, the car tends to "spin out", enhancing the play value.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 wherein an alternative circuit,generally indicated as 85 and incorporating a speaker 86 is depicted. Afirst lead 87a of motor 87 is adapted to be connected to the positiveterminal 12 of a battery. The other lead 87b of motor 87 is connected toboth a probe 90 and the emitter 92 of PNP transistor 91. The base 93 ofPNP transistor 91 is connected to collector 98 of NPN transistor 95.Emitter 96 of NPN transistor 95 is connected both to the negativeterminal 13 of the battery as well as to lead 86a of speaker 86. Thebase 97 of NPN transistor 95 is connected to probe 89 as well as to oneend 88a of capacitor 88. Capacitor 88 provides feedback for theoscillating circuit. The other end 88b of capacitor 88 is connected tolead 86b of speaker 86 as well as to collector 94 of PNP transistor 91.This circuit is designed to operate low current devices such as motors,solenoids, and the like and/or produce non-complex sounds (tones) suchas ticking, motor sounds, crying, musical notes, etc. It is noted thatresistive responsive circuit 85 need not include a motor 87, therebyallowing the circuit to only produce sound. With the motor 87 removed,the positive terminal of the battery can be directly connected to probe90 and emitter 92.

Probes 89 and 90 when contacting a body of water, or other conductingfluids, provides a resistive connection therebetween thereby activatingthe circuit when connected to a battery. As will be explained in detailbelow, by providing differently configured reservoirs and probes,different sounds and characteristics will be provided. It is noted thatthis circuit is designed to operate on any 3 through 9 volt battery. Themotor can be adapted to drive a vehicle such as the car depicted in FIG.1 or any other motor-driven arrangement, as desired. For example in adoll, motor 87 can actuate an eye movement or the like. Additionally,speaker 86 can be replaced with other audio transducers or other ACdriven devices or the like in order to provide for different sounds anddifferent applications.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a second oscillator circuit, generallyindicated as 100 is depicted. The circuit is similar to that depicted inFIG. 7 and described above except that a capacitor 99 has beenintroduced intermediate probe 90 and a third probe 84. This circuit isdesigned to operate low current devices such as motors, solenoids andthe like and/or produce a wider variety of sounds.

Thus, when probes 89 and 90 are connected by water, the circuitfunctions in the same manner as described above. When probes 89 and 84are connected with water, a single "chirp" is produced, a tone of aduration sufficient to charge capacitor 99. When probes 84 and 90 areconnected by water, the capacitor discharges and no sound is produced.If a resistor 14, shown in phantom, is connected between probes 89 and84, a water connection between probes 84 and 90 produces a recurrringchirp. When probes 84 and 90 are exposed to a normally humid atmosphere,an infrequent "chirp" is produced as the capacitor 99 charges anddischarges. If a resistor 15, shown in phantom, is connected betweenprobes 84 and 90, a recurring "chirp" is produced when probes 89 and 84are connected by water.

Transistors 91 and 95 in FIGS. 7 and 8 are coupled to define anoscillator. Motor 87 is driven by a half-wave rectified signal output ofthe oscillator. In effect, the motor is driven by the RMS current outputof the oscillator so that the faster the oscillations, the faster themotor rotates, and the slower the oscillations, the slower the motorrotates. Where water controls the resistance across the probes, thehigher the resistance value, the lower the frequency of oscillation, theslower the motor rotates. Conversely, the lower the resistance, thefaster the oscillations, the faster the motor rotates.

The length, shape, placement and configuration of the probes within areservoir of various configurations, provides resistive changes,dependent on the amount of water or other fluid in the reservoir,thereby causing various and interesting sounds and responses to beproduced.

Referring to FIG. 9, a specially configured reservoir 105 and probeconstruction is illustrated. A closeable drain 101 is provided at thebottom of the reservoir in order to allow adjustment of the metered flowof water therethrough. A filling spout 102 is provided at the top of thereservoir in order to allow the reservoir to be filled with water.Probes A and B extend through the walls of reservoir 105 in the mannerdepicted and are shaped as depicted in FIG. 9, running essentiallyparallel along their major length but diverging near their bottom ends.As the water drains from this reservoir through drain 101, the resistivecharacteristics of the water in combination with the probe placementcauses the resistance detected by the probes to increase proportionallyas the water level is reduced in the area of equally spaced probes, toprovide a slowing down action for electrical components such as a motorthat would simulate the running out of fuel by causing the motor to slowdown. The resistance between the probes increases at a faster speed whenthe water level is in the region of diverging probes below point X,exagerating the slowing down of the vehicle. The shape of this reservoirwould be particularly adapted for use in the toy automobile of the typedepicted in FIG. 1. However, it is noted that the reservoir describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, in combination with theprobes therethrough, would act only as an on/off switch. This resultsfrom the relative shortness of the probes 80, 81, rendering thefrequency differences immaterial.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 wherein an alternative probe andreservoir configuration is depicted. This configuration provides pointsat which the resistance increases more rapidly thereby exhibitingirregular slowing of motion of a motor or changes in frequency of thetone produced. As the water slowly drains through drain 110, the waterlevel in the reservoir is decreased. As the water drains and thereforelowers itself between points a and b, the resistance will change rapidlyand hence the motor controlled by the circuitry will slowproportionally. However, as the water drains between points b and c, anincrease in resistance will occur slowly, slowing down the motor speedgradually. Once again as the water drains between points c and d, thespeed will undergo a sharp decline. However, as the water drains betweenpoints d and e, the motor will once again slow down slowly. Rapiddeceleration occurs in the region of e-f. By placing this configurationof reservoir and probes in the toy car depicted in FIG. 1, as the waterdrains out of drain 110, the car will appear to simulate down shifing asit runs out of gas (water).

Reference is now made to FIG. 11 depicting an alternative embodiment andconfiguration of reservoir and probes to be utilized in connection withthe instant invention, wherein the orientation of the reservoir becomesrelevant. As this reservoir is tilted, the resistance will decrease orincrease depending on the orientation and the current flow through thecircuit will change. By utilizing this configuration in a toy car,additional power is provided for the toy car to move up an incline andless power to descend simulating gear shifting and braking.

FIG. 12 introduces the concept of multiple probe pairs 1, 2 and 3variously placed within a reservoir to provide different characteristicsdepending on the orientation of the reservoir. For example, as depictedin FIG. 13, the reservoir and probe configuration depicted in FIG. 12can be inserted into the interior portion of a toy doll 120 wherein thefilling spout 102 is connected by a hollow tube 4 to the mouth 5 of thetoy doll, while the drain portion 10 of the reservoir is connectedsimilarly by a tube 6 to a lower portion 7 of the doll. Accordingly, thedoll can be bottle fed with the water thereby filling the reservoir andas the reservoir drains, excretory functions will be exhibited by thedoll by having the water pass into a diaper or the like (not shown).Various orientations of the doll such as lying back, sitting forward orlying down will cause the water to contact different probes therebyproviding different characteristics and functions for the circuitry, forexample simulated crying, murmuring or the like.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14 wherein a separate chamber 122partially defined by wall 121 is provided to retain water therein. Theuse of this chamber which retains a portion of the water poured into thereservoirs allows reactivation (reconnection) of the probes by tippingthe reservoir, thereby spilling the water in chamber 120 into the mainreservoir. This causes the water to partially refill the reservoirthereby contacting the probes A, B, closing the circuit and causing thedesired response.

Referring to FIG. 15, the use of multiple reservoirs with probes mountedin each reservoir is depicted. This configuration can be utilized toobtain decreasing different tones as the water passes between thereservoirs. This can be used to provide motion for a vehicle taking offwith shifts, the speed increasing prior to running out of gas andthereafter slowing down. Note that the reservoir includes three separatechambers 130, 131 and 132, each connected by a drain hole 133 to itsadjacent chamber, allowing the water poured through spout 102 to firstfill reservoir 130. The water will slowly drip into chamber 131 and willactivate the probes A, B therein. Further dripping into chamber 132 willactivate the probes therein. It is also noted that the probes are ofdifferent lengths in each chamber allowing for differing characteristicsas the water contacts each pair of probes.

FIG. 16 depicts another reservoir and probe configuration inserted intothe interior portion of a toy doll 120. This reservoir 134 has aseparate chamber 135 similar to chamber 122 depicted in FIG. 14.However, a second set of probes 136 extends into chamber 135, while afirst set of probes 137 extends into main reservoir 134, therebyproviding for different characteristics, different tones or motor driveeffects.

FIG. 17 illustrates a sealed reservoir with three sets of probes 17, 18and 19 extending therein. Depending on the orientation of the reservoir,different probes will contact the water thereby causing differentcharacteristics. By keeping the water level just below the level of theprobe sets 17 and 18 and shaking, interesting sounds simulating gigglingwill be produced.

Reference is now made to FIG. 18 whrein a barbell shaped reservoir isprovided. It is noted that the probes are located in the narrow portionbetween the two main reservoirs, thereby being activated only as waterdrains through the top reservoir into the bottom one.

FIG. 19 depicts another sealed reservoir in the general shape of abarbell having three sets of probes introduced in the portion 140between the two main reservoirs. Portion 140 is shaped to define asinuous path for the water, with three sets of probes A,B therein. Inutilizing this configuration, it has been found that, depending on theorientation of the reservoir, the water contacting the probes willprovide for different sound combinations simulating laughing, crying,ma-ma, etc. In part, this is caused by the breaking up of the water byair bubbles which effect resistance between the probes. Such a designwould be particularly suited for a toy doll or the like.

Reference is now made to FIG. 20 wherein a wick 150 is introduced intothe drain 149 of the reservoir thereby promoting metered draining of thereservoir in combination with a small drain hole, in order to provideactivation of the probes with a minimal amount of water. The wick 150can be connected to an absorbent material 151 thereby providing forabsorption of the water. Absorbent material 151 allows the water todrain through wick 150 into the absorbent material and to be retained inthe absorbent material, such as a sponge, thereby reducing thelikelihood of any spillage of liquid. If the absorbent material ismounted, by way of example, in a car so that air flows therepast in thedirection of arrow C, evaporation will take place avoiding emptying thewater.

Reference is now made to FIG. 21 wherein the probe ends are springmounted utilizing springs 160 to support probes 161, thereby providingfor laughing and giggling sounds depending on the orientation of thereservoir and the length of springs 160 and probes 161 which actuallycontact the water.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a reservoir 169 having a separate chamber 170which will retain water when the reservoir is upright but which willallow drainage through opening 171 into the lower portion of thereservoir when the reservoir is tipped, is depicted. The upper chamber170 has two probes 161 extending therein supported on springs 160 asdepicted in FIG. 21. The lower portion of the reservoir has rigid probesextending therein. By providing this configuration, when the reservoiris upright laughing and giggling sounds can be created through thespeaker. However, when the reservoir is tipped and water drains fromchamber 170 into the lower portion of the reservoir, the watercontacting the probes 173 will produce a crying sound. As the waterdrains out through drain 172 the crying will eventually diminish to amere murmur. Eventually all sound will cease when the reservoir isemptied. Drain 172, because of its size, meters to outward flow of thewater to provide desired sounds over a period of time.

FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 depict a spherical sealed reservoir 180 partiallyfilled with fluid. In this configuration, the probes 182, 184 arelocated 180° apart on opposite sides of the reservoir. As illustrated,the spherical reservoir can be rotated to different orientations toallow for varying results. The fluid volume is less than 50% of thevolume of the reservoir. When the reservoir is motionless, the probesare not connected by the fluid and the circuit will remain open.However, when the spherical reservoir is in motion the fluid will flowwithin the reservoir and will randomly connect the two probes therebyclosing the circuit. The sensitivity of the spherical reservoir andprobe configuration is controlled by adjusting the volume of fluid inthe reservoir to accommodate various intensities of motion or vibration.The gap between the probes can be altered. An enlarged gap will allowthe sensing of vigorous motion of the reservoir. A reduced gap allowsthe configuration to sense lighter motion.

As noted above, the various reservoir, probe and circuit configurationswill provide a multiplicity of results and can be utilized in connectionwith various toys. For example, the probes, instead of being round, canbe plates having a larger surface area for producing differentresponses. The conductive fluid activated device of the instantinvention contains few parts and is inexpensive to manufacture. Thedevice can be utilized in a plurality of applications and will greatlyenhance the play value of any toy wherein it is placed. Variouscombinations of the depicted configurations can be provided which willresult in interesting and fascinating results. Conductive liquids orfluids other than water can be used.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceeding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the constructions without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that mattercontained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features herein described and allstatements of the scope of the invention, which as a matter of language,might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy device comprising a toy frame; propellingmeans supported on said toy frame for moving said toy frame along apath; motor means supported on said toy frame and operatively coupled tosaid propelling means for causing said propelling means to move said toyframe along a path; reservoir means carried on said toy frame capable ofreceiving a current conducting liquid; said reservoir means having anentrance opening through which said current conducting liquid isintroduced into said reservoir means and an exit opening through whichsaid current conducting liquid drains out of said reservoir means; afirst pair of electrically conductive probe means in spaced relation insaid reservoir means; and circuit means coupled to said probe means andadapted to be actuated when said pair of probe means are electricallycoupled by said liquid, said circuit means having an output coupled tosaid motor means for driving said motor means, the duration of saidoutput being dependent upon the quantity of current conducting liquidintroduced into said reservoir means, whereby a toy actuated to movealong a path by said liquid is produced.
 2. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said reservoir means includes at least first and secondcompartments and a liquid passage coupling said first compartment tosaid second compartment, said liquid being adapted to flow between saidfirst and second compartments through said liquid passage.
 3. The deviceas claimed in claim 2, wherein said first pair of probe means arepositioned in said first compartment.
 4. The device as claimed in claim2, wherein said first pair of probe means are positioned in said liquidpassage.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising asecond pair of probe means coupled to said circuit means and positionedin said second compartment.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5, furthercomprising a third pair of probe means coupled to said circuit means andpositioned in said liquid passage.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 3,further comprising a second pair of probe means coupled to said circuitmeans and positioned in said liquid passage.
 8. The device as claimed inclaim 2, wherein said liquid passage is narrower than said first andsecond compartments.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidliquid passage defines a sinuous path.
 10. The device as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said first and second compartments and said liquidpassage define a barbell shape.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 2,wherein said first compartment is formed with an exit opening for thepassage of said liquid therethrough.
 12. The device as claimed in claim11, wherein said second compartment is formed with an exit opening forthe passage of said liquid therethrough.
 13. The device as claimed inclaim 2, wherein said circuit means is an oscillator circuit, thefrequency of the output of said oscillator circuit being responsive tothe resistance between said first pair of probe means as determined bythe relative orientation of said liquid and probe means and the shape ofsaid probe means, the speed of said motor means being responsive to thefrequency of said oscillator circuit output.
 14. The device as claimedin claim 1, wherein said motor means is a d.c. motor, said circuit meansbeing adapted to produce a half-wave rectified signal at the outputthereof for driving said motor means.
 15. The device as claimed in claim1, wherein said circuit means is adapted to produce an output thefrequency of which is responsive to the resistance between said pair ofprobe means, said probe means being shaped and positioned so thatdifferent resistances are defined therebetween for differentorientations of said liquid relative to said probe means.
 16. The deviceas claimed in claim 1, further comprising speed control means coupled tosaid circuit means for the selective control of the output of saidcircuit means whereby the speed of said motor means is controlled. 17.The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circuit means is adaptedto produce an output responsive to the resistance between said pair ofprobe means, said first compartment being formed with an exit opening.18. The device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising metering meanscoupled to said exit opening for the selective control of the rate offlow of said liquid from said reservoir means.
 19. The device as claimedin claim 1, wherein the ends of said pair of probe means in saidreservoir means include biasing means whereby the resistance betweensaid probe means varies due to the displacement of said biasing meansthrough said liquid.
 20. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidtoy frame is a toy figure.